Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-30
SENATOR CUuLOM SPEAKS.
He Thinks the Iuterstate Commerce
Law Has Already Done Much Good.

SPRINGFIELD, H., June 3o.-At a meeting OF the
Illinois Grain Merchants Association yesterday
senator Cullom was called upon 10 speak on the
interstate commerce law. He thanked the con-
yention for the opportunity offered him. and said
he had remained silent In regard 10 the law until
the commission appointed under IL had got fairly
started IN the performance OF its duties. such
progress had been made under IL now as TO Justify
and expression OF opinion, and he thought IL safe
10 say that the first result was 20 place men more
nearly on an equality with respect 10 adyant ,geS
In the shipment OF their products. The law. he
said, marked the beginning OF a new era I'm rail-
road administration. and Is the actual culmina-
tion OF a long struggle for SUPREMACY between the
people and the combined power OF the railway
corporations He did not claim the law 20 be per-
feet. Ii was In a sense experimental but IL was
A DECLARATION BY CONGRESS OF IT'S POWER ovER
THE sCBJEcT
and its determination that these privileged cor.
porations should be conducted In the interest OF
the people. "Ihe act Will not be repealed" said
he, "and II any persons or corporations imagine it
will they may "a well dismiss the expectation. Its
substantial provisions have come 10 stay, because
the people VIII ind out. II they have not already,
that they are in the interest OF the general well
fare" He said IL was common 10 hear the proyis-
ions OF the law called bungling and ambiguous.
80 far as my observation goes" said he, "those
who are attacking the law and seeking 20 over
throw IL are the persons who profess 10 ind diri-
Guilty In understanding its meaning II is In their
way. They want TO get rid OF IL.
THE TRUE GROUND OF OBJECTION
on the part OF such critics is 10 be found In the
purposes and not In the alleged ambiguity OF the
law. The fact is that there is nothing particular.
ly new or startling In Its provisions. Similar pro-
visions are found in the constitutions and statutes
OF many OF the States and In the laws OF other
countries. Much OF the language used In Its most
important sections has settled meaning. having
been Judiciousy construed either In this country
in England and this is specially true OF some OF
the phrases which have been most generally Gt-
tackled as meaningless and ambiguous The re-
q uirements or the law that all Charges shall be
reasonable, and that there shall be no unjust dis
elimination or unreasonable advantage or prefer
ence In favor OF any person or place he declared,
had been shown by the character OF the COM
plants against the enforcement OF the act 10 be
absolutely demanded. In reference TO
THE LoNG-AND-sHoRT-HAUL CLAUSE,
he said: "For many years the railroads or the
country have so absolutely controlled our inter-
state commerce that we have no means OF know
ing what are the natural channels OF tran1c, or
what would be the effect or the natural laws OF
trade upon many, at least, OF the present CONNER
cial centers- What the critics of the law call
tural centers OF trade centes Grated by rail-
road favoriism, which has diverted trade from It's
natural channel into artificial ones at the expense
or less favored localities"
The senator hope1 there would be no prolonged
antagonism TO the enforcement or the law He
said he did not join in the charge that the rail-
roads are attempting TO render the law obnoxious
He credited them with too much business sagacity
| for that. Such course could only proiong q
| struggle that would end speedily by quietly &C
quiescing In the viii OF the people expressed "
| the law.